Do You Think You May Suffer From Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?

Discover the Symptoms and Treatment Options for PTSD in Georgia

We feel like we can overcome anything life throws our way, no matter how terrible. But what happens when we can’t simply “get over it”? If you have lingering and debilitating feelings of helplessness, fear, or horror, you may have PTSD.

PTSD stands for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. You may suffer from this mental health issue if you have experienced a traumatizing event at some point in your life (even as a child) and have a series of three “cluster” symptoms.

Do I Have PTSD?I Need Help
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PTSD Warning Signs

Mental health professionals have identified three primary symptoms of PTSD that must be present before a diagnosis can be determined. These include:

  • Avoidance of circumstances or people that cause triggering memories of your trauma.
  • Feelings of being overly aroused or on guard all the time, leading to anger and irritability to those around you.
  • Constantly replaying the traumatic event through nightmares or flashbacks.

As a result of these three symptoms, Georgia sufferers of PTSD often exhibit other warning signs that may mean that PTSD is the root cause.

If you exhibit any of these warning signs in addition to the three cluster symptoms mentioned above, it is vital to seek help:

  • Depression
  • Feeling disconnected from your friends or family
  • Guilt, often misplaced
  • Substance abuse
  • Chronic pain or fatigue
  • Risky behaviors
  • Insomnia
  • Frequent headaches
  • Loss of enjoyment of actives you used to engage in regularly

PTSD Risk Factors

We typically think of military personnel in war zones coming back with PTSD symptoms, but there are other risk factors of posttraumatic stress disorder.

  • Women develop PTSD 2x more than men.
  • People who have been raped have a 50% chance of developing PTSD
  • Those who experience any type of physical assault such as a mugging or beating are 40% more likely to have PTSD.
  • Military personnel in the Marines or Army are four times more likely to experience PTSD than those in the Navy or Air Force.
  • 30% of all war veterans will suffer from PTSD.
  • Anyone who has experienced or witnessed extreme illness of a loved one, sudden death of a friend, witnessed a murder, victim of natural disasters, or other traumatizing events.

Therapy Options

  • CBT, or Cognitive Behavior Therapy, is a type of psychotherapy (“talk” therapy). The sessions normally run for 6-12 weeks and will help you to reshape your thoughts surrounding the trauma.
  • Exposure Therapy is designed to help you desensitize to stimuli that cause PTSD triggers. The therapist will purposely uncover memories of your trauma, and then help you talk through and process your feelings of fear, guilt, or terror.
  • Explore other group and individual therapy options with a professional who can guide you through the process to find the best fit. It is important for you to find a therapist that you feel comfortable with.

PTSD Treatment Options in Georgia

Sometimes we need professional help to deal with the trauma that caused our life to unravel. It can be next to impossible to get better on your own! The good news is that there are so many treatment options available in Georgia. Don’t suffer alone anymore.

The first step is to talk to a family physician or to seek a consultation at a Georgia community mental health facility. They will most likely prescribe an antidepressant and therapy.

Medication Options

There are two common SSRI medications used to treat the symptoms of PTSD: Paroxetine and Sertraline, commonly known as Paxil and Zoloft. These selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors raise the serotonin levels in your brain and help you feel better. Be sure to check the side effects of these drugs, and realize that while they are a helpful part of your treatment, don’t skip the most important part: therapy.